Deciphering Turkey’s foreign policy

In theory, not to mention in several hundred acres of newsprint, 2011 was the year Turkey’s foreign policy fell apart. The tabloid version of the ‘zero problems with the neighbors’ policy postulates that Turkey happily ignores the political shortcomings of a broad expanse of thugs, from Syria to Libya, Iran to Israel. By being diplomatically and commercially close to the unsavory leaders in each of these places, Turkey would gain influence, make money and help maintain an uneasy and fragile stability. So when, by invading Gaza in 2009, Israel effectively sabotaged the Turkey-sponsored proximity peace talks with Syria, the foreign policy crafted by Ankara’s philosopher-politician Ahmet Davutoglu suffered its first punch in the midriff. This year, by cozying up to the regularly lamented Muammar Qadhafi while much of the rest of the world was plotting a bombing campaign in the name of protecting civilians, Turkey appeared recklessly out of line.